The Hindu Editorial • February 20, 2026 • Read Original

Privacy and transparency: On the RTI Act amendment, petitions

There must be no information asymmetry between state and citizens

Scoreclever

Win Exams Cleverly

The Hindu Read Original

8 min read

Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on February 20, 2026

Privacy and transparency: On the RTI Act amendment, petitions

There must be no information asymmetry between state and citizens

RTI ActDPDP ActPrivacyTransparencySupreme CourtRight to Information

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 19

English Original

On Monday, the Supreme Court of India referred a series of petitions challenging the amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, to a Constitution Bench, recognising its “constitutional sensitivity”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

On Monday

A specific day in the past when the court made this decision

Part 2

the Supreme Court of India

The highest judicial body in India

Part 3

Sent a case to a different group or higher level for a decision

Part 4

a series of the to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023

Many formal requests asking the court to cancel a new change in the law that limits the right to ask for information

Part 5

to a Constitution Bench

A special group of 5 or more Supreme Court judges who handle very important legal questions

Part 6

recognising its “constitutional ”

Accepting that this issue is very important and related to the basic rules of the country

Context and Background

What is a Constitution Bench?

A Constitution Bench is a special bench of the Supreme Court of India comprising at least five judges. These benches are formed to decide “substantial questions of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution” or to resolve conflicting judgments from smaller benches.

Sentence 2 of 19

English Original

The Chief Justice of India even remarked that the Court might “have to lay down what is meant by ‘personal information’”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Chief Justice of India

The highest-ranking judge of the Supreme Court and head of the Indian judiciary

Part 2

even

A word used to emphasize that something is surprising or goes beyond what was expected

Part 3

remarked

Said or commented on something

Part 4

that the Court might “have to what is meant by ‘personal information’”

That the judges may need to clearly define or create a rule about what exactly counts as private info

Sentence 3 of 19

English Original

The RTI Act, 2005 was enacted to create an informed citizenry and ensure state accountability, which is vital for a democracy.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The RTI Act, 2005

The Right to Information law passed in 2005

Part 2

was

Was officially made into a law

Part 3

to create an informed and ensure state

To make sure citizens know what is happening and to make the government responsible for its actions

Part 4

which is for a democracy

Because knowing things and having a responsible government is very necessary for a free country

Context and Background

What is the RTI Act, 2005?

The Right to Information (RTI) Act is a law passed by the Indian Parliament in 2005. It gives citizens the right to request information from public authorities, making the government more transparent and accountable. It is considered one of the most powerful tools for Indian citizens to fight corruption.

Sentence 4 of 19

English Original

Over two decades later, the DPDP Act has delivered a body blow by diluting one of its foundational sections.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Over two decades later

More than twenty years after the RTI Act was first passed

Part 2

the DPDP Act

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, a new law about privacy

Part 3

has delivered

Has given or caused something to happen

Part 4

A very severe shock or a major setback

Part 5

by one of its sections

By making one of the most important parts of the RTI law weaker and less effective

Sentence 5 of 19

English Original

Section 8(1)(j) originally allowed the withholding of personal information only if it had no relationship to any public activity or interest, or if its disclosure resulted in an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Section 8(1)(j)

A specific part of the Right to Information law

Part 2

originally

In the beginning or in the first version of the law

Part 3

allowed

Permitted or gave permission for something

Part 4

the of personal information

Refusing to give out private details about a person

Part 5

only if it had no relationship to any public activity or interest, or if its resulted in an

Only when the information was totally private and didn’t matter to the public, or if sharing it would unfairly disturb someone’s private life

Sentence 6 of 19

English Original

Crucially, the section included a “public interest override” as an integral feature of the 2005 Act, permitting disclosure if a Public Information Officer was satisfied that the larger public interest justified it.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Crucially

Very importantly

Part 2

the section

The specific part of the RTI law we are discussing

Part 3

included

Had or contained as a part

Part 4

a “”

A rule that lets info be shared if it is good for the public, even if it is private

Part 5

as an feature of the 2005 Act

As an essential and basic part of the law passed in 2005

Part 6

permitting disclosure if a was satisfied that the larger public interest it

Allowing the information to be shown if the official in charge felt that it was more important for the public to know than to keep it secret

Sentence 7 of 19

English Original

The DPDP amendment removes this override and prohibits the disclosure of “any information which relates to personal information”, amounting to a blanket ban.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The DPDP amendment

The new change made to the law by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act

Part 2

removes

Takes away or deletes

Part 3

this override

The rule that allowed public interest to be more important than privacy

Part 4

Strictly forbids or stops

Part 5

the disclosure of “any information which relates to personal information”

Giving out any details that are connected to a person’s private information

Part 6

Which means it is a complete and total stop on giving out such info

Sentence 8 of 19

English Original

This enables rejecting requests concerning officials, procurement records, audit reports or public spending.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The “blanket ban” or the new amendment mentioned in the previous sentence

Part 2

Makes it possible for something to happen

Part 3

rejecting requests concerning officials, records, reports or public spending

Refusing to answer questions about government officers, buying records, checked bills, and how public money is spent

Sentence 9 of 19

English Original

In its campaign for the RTI, the Internet Freedom Foundation has highlighted a “legitimate uses” paradox here: while Section 7 of the DPDP Act allows the state to process personal data without consent, the RTI amendment prevents citizens from using similar principles to seek transparency from the state.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In its campaign for the RTI

In their effort to protect and support the Right to Information law

Part 2

the Internet Freedom Foundation

An Indian non-profit organization that works for digital rights and freedoms

Part 3

has highlighted

Has pointed out or called attention to

Part 4

a “ uses” here

A situation where two parts of the same logic seem to work against each other

Part 5

while Section 7 of the DPDP Act allows the state to process personal data without , the RTI amendment prevents citizens from using similar principles to seek from the state

Although the new law lets the government use people’s private info without asking them, the same law stops people from using similar rules to get information from the government

Context and Background

What is the Legitimate Uses Paradox?

The DPDP Act allows the government to use personal data for “certain legitimate uses” (like providing subsidies or permits) without the user’s consent. IFF argues it’s ironic that while the state claims “legitimate use” to access citizen data, citizens can’t claim “public interest” (a similar principle) to access official information under RTI.

Sentence 10 of 19

English Original

Thus, while the government can monitor the citizen, the citizen is denied the ability to scrutinise the government.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Thus

Because of this or therefore

Part 2

while the government can the citizen

Even though the government has the power to watch over what people do

Part 3

the citizen

An ordinary person living in the country

Part 4

is denied

Is refused or not allowed to have

Part 5

the ability to the government

The power to look closely at and check what the government is doing

Sentence 11 of 19

English Original

This amendment also creates a severe “chilling effect” on the press.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This amendment

The new change in the RTI law

Part 2

also

In addition to what was already described

Part 3

creates

Produces or causes to happen

Part 4

a “”

A situation where journalists are scared to report the truth

Part 5

On newspapers and news organizations

Sentence 12 of 19

English Original

As argued in one of the writ petitions by The Reporters’ Collective, journalists could be classified as “data fiduciaries” under the DPDP Act and its Rules when collecting information for investigative reports.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As argued in one of the by

According to what a group of journalists said in their legal request to the court

Part 2

journalists

People who collect and report news

Part 3

could be classified

Might be officially called or labeled

Part 4

as “”

As people who are responsible for taking care of other people’s private info

Part 5

under the DPDP Act and its Rules

According to the new privacy law and its specific details

Part 6

when collecting information for reports

When they are gathering facts for deep news stories about secrets or problems

Context and Background

What are

Under the DPDP Act 2023, a ‘Data Fiduciary’ is any person or entity that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data. They have significant legal obligations and can be held liable for any data breaches or misuse. Journalists fear this label could make their work legally risky.

Sentence 13 of 19

English Original

Non-compliance with the Act can attract fines up to ₹250 crore.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

with the Act

Failing to follow the rules of this new law

Part 2

can attract

Can result in or lead to

Part 3

up to ₹250

Money penalties as high as 2,500 million rupees

Sentence 14 of 19

English Original

Such a legal framework threatens reducing journalism to just publishing government releases.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Such a legal

A system of laws like the one being discussed

Part 2

threatens

Puts something at risk or is a danger to

Part 3

reducing journalism to just publishing

Making news reporting so weak that it only prints whatever the government tells it to

Sentence 15 of 19

English Original

It is ironic that the DPDP Act provides exemptions to startups but omits similar protections for journalism.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A placeholder word used to start the sentence

Part 2

A linking verb connecting the subject to its description

Part 3

Strange or surprising because it is the opposite of what you expect

Part 4

that the DPDP Act provides to startups but similar protections for journalism

That the new law gives special relief to new small companies but leaves out similar safety for news reporting

Sentence 16 of 19

English Original

This is in sharp contrast with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which balances privacy and transparency to ensure accountability.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The situation in India where journalism is not protected

Part 2

A linking verb describing a state of being

Part 3

in with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation ()

Very different from the main privacy law in Europe

Part 4

which privacy and transparency to accountability

Which gives importance to both private life and the right to know to make sure someone is responsible

Context and Background

What is GDPR?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data privacy law in the European Union that went into effect in 2018. It is known for its strict rules on data protection but also includes exemptions for journalistic, academic, artistic, or literary purposes to protect freedom of expression.

Sentence 17 of 19

English Original

The Constitution Bench must refer to the judgment, Central Public Information Officer (2019), which held that personal information should remain private unless disclosure is necessary for the larger public interest.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Constitution Bench

The group of five or more Supreme Court judges hearing this case

Part 2

must refer

Should look at and mention as an example or rule

Part 3

to the , Central Public Information Officer (2019)

A specific official legal decision made in 2019

Part 4

which that personal information should remain private unless is necessary for the larger

Which decided that private details should not be shared unless it is very important for everyone to know

Context and Background

What is the CPIO (2019) Judgment?

In the case ‘Central Public Information Officer, Supreme Court vs. Subhash Chandra Agarwal (2019)’, the Supreme Court ruled that the office of the CJI is a public authority under RTI. However, it also held that personal information is exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) unless the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm to the individual’s privacy.

Sentence 18 of 19

English Original

It is known that the RTI has significantly reduced state-citizen (this includes the poor) information asymmetry over two decades.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A placeholder word to start the sentence

Part 2

is known

Is a fact that many people already understand and accept

Part 3

that the RTI has reduced state-citizen (this includes the poor) information over two decades

That the RTI law has greatly decreased the gap between what the government knows and what ordinary people (including poor people) know over the last twenty years

Sentence 19 of 19

English Original

Ensuring its survival is essential for a responsive government.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

its

Making sure that the RTI law continues to exist and work properly

Part 2

A linking verb describing what the subject is

Part 3

for a government

Absolutely necessary for a government that listens and reacts to its people

Sentence 1 of 19

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 The Supreme Court of India has referred petitions challenging the amendment of Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act to a Constitution Bench.
2 This amendment, introduced by the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act of 2023, is seen as a serious blow to transparency in governance.
3 The original RTI Act allowed for the disclosure of personal information if it served a larger public interest, but the new law removes this “public interest override.”
4 The change creates an imbalance where the state can monitor citizens easily, but citizens are restricted from scrutinizing government officials and public spending.
5 Journalism faces a “chilling effect” as journalists collecting data for reports could be heavily fined under the new DPDP framework.

Tone of the Editorial

Critical and Concerned

Why this tone?

The editorial takes a strong stand against the dilution of the Right to Information Act. It uses powerful language like “body blow”, “chilling effect”, and “blanket ban” to highlight the negative impact on democracy and accountability.

Sentence 1 of 19

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

On Monday

A specific day in the past when the court made this decision

Part 2

the Supreme Court of India

The highest judicial body in India

Part 3

referred

Sent a case to a different group or higher level for a decision

Part 4

a series of petitions challenging the amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023

Many formal requests asking the court to cancel a new change in the law that limits the right to ask for information

Part 5

to a Constitution Bench

A special group of 5 or more Supreme Court judges who handle very important legal questions

Part 6

recognising its “constitutional sensitivity”

Accepting that this issue is very important and related to the basic rules of the country

Sentence 2 of 19

The Chief Justice of India even remarked that the Court might “have to lay down what is meant by ‘personal information’”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Chief Justice of India

The highest-ranking judge of the Supreme Court and head of the Indian judiciary

Part 2

even

A word used to emphasize that something is surprising or goes beyond what was expected

Part 3

remarked

Said or commented on something

Part 4

that the Court might “have to lay down what is meant by ‘personal information’”

That the judges may need to clearly define or create a rule about what exactly counts as private info

Sentence 3 of 19

The RTI Act, 2005 was enacted to create an informed citizenry and ensure state accountability, which is vital for a democracy.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The RTI Act, 2005

The Right to Information law passed in 2005

Part 2

was enacted

Was officially made into a law

Part 3

to create an informed citizenry and ensure state accountability

To make sure citizens know what is happening and to make the government responsible for its actions

Part 4

which is vital for a democracy

Because knowing things and having a responsible government is very necessary for a free country

Sentence 4 of 19

Over two decades later, the DPDP Act has delivered a body blow by diluting one of its foundational sections.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Over two decades later

More than twenty years after the RTI Act was first passed

Part 2

the DPDP Act

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, a new law about privacy

Part 3

has delivered

Has given or caused something to happen

Part 4

a body blow

A very severe shock or a major setback

Part 5

by diluting one of its foundational sections

By making one of the most important parts of the RTI law weaker and less effective

Sentence 5 of 19

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Section 8(1)(j)

A specific part of the Right to Information law

Part 2

originally

In the beginning or in the first version of the law

Part 3

allowed

Permitted or gave permission for something

Part 4

the withholding of personal information

Refusing to give out private details about a person

Part 5

only if it had no relationship to any public activity or interest, or if its disclosure resulted in an unwarranted invasion of privacy

Only when the information was totally private and didn’t matter to the public, or if sharing it would unfairly disturb someone’s private life

Sentence 6 of 19

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Crucially

Very importantly

Part 2

the section

The specific part of the RTI law we are discussing

Part 3

included

Had or contained as a part

Part 4

a “public interest override”

A rule that lets info be shared if it is good for the public, even if it is private

Part 5

as an integral feature of the 2005 Act

As an essential and basic part of the law passed in 2005

Part 6

permitting disclosure if a Public Information Officer was satisfied that the larger public interest justified it

Allowing the information to be shown if the official in charge felt that it was more important for the public to know than to keep it secret

Sentence 7 of 19

The DPDP amendment removes this override and prohibits the disclosure of “any information which relates to personal information”, amounting to a blanket ban.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The DPDP amendment

The new change made to the law by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act

Part 2

removes

Takes away or deletes

Part 3

this override

The rule that allowed public interest to be more important than privacy

Part 4

prohibits

Strictly forbids or stops

Part 5

the disclosure of “any information which relates to personal information”

Giving out any details that are connected to a person’s private information

Part 6

amounting to a blanket ban

Which means it is a complete and total stop on giving out such info

Sentence 8 of 19

This enables rejecting requests concerning officials, procurement records, audit reports or public spending.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The “blanket ban” or the new amendment mentioned in the previous sentence

Part 2

enables

Makes it possible for something to happen

Part 3

rejecting requests concerning officials, procurement records, audit reports or public spending

Refusing to answer questions about government officers, buying records, checked bills, and how public money is spent

Sentence 9 of 19

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In its campaign for the RTI

In their effort to protect and support the Right to Information law

Part 2

the Internet Freedom Foundation

An Indian non-profit organization that works for digital rights and freedoms

Part 3

has highlighted

Has pointed out or called attention to

Part 4

a “legitimate uses” paradox here

A situation where two parts of the same logic seem to work against each other

Part 5

while Section 7 of the DPDP Act allows the state to process personal data without consent, the RTI amendment prevents citizens from using similar principles to seek transparency from the state

Although the new law lets the government use people’s private info without asking them, the same law stops people from using similar rules to get information from the government

Sentence 10 of 19

Thus, while the government can monitor the citizen, the citizen is denied the ability to scrutinise the government.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Thus

Because of this or therefore

Part 2

while the government can monitor the citizen

Even though the government has the power to watch over what people do

Part 3

the citizen

An ordinary person living in the country

Part 4

is denied

Is refused or not allowed to have

Part 5

the ability to scrutinise the government

The power to look closely at and check what the government is doing

Sentence 11 of 19

This amendment also creates a severe “chilling effect” on the press.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This amendment

The new change in the RTI law

Part 2

also

In addition to what was already described

Part 3

creates

Produces or causes to happen

Part 4

a severe “chilling effect”

A situation where journalists are scared to report the truth

Part 5

on the press

On newspapers and news organizations

Sentence 12 of 19

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As argued in one of the writ petitions by The Reporters’ Collective

According to what a group of journalists said in their legal request to the court

Part 2

journalists

People who collect and report news

Part 3

could be classified

Might be officially called or labeled

Part 4

as “data fiduciaries”

As people who are responsible for taking care of other people’s private info

Part 5

under the DPDP Act and its Rules

According to the new privacy law and its specific details

Part 6

when collecting information for investigative reports

When they are gathering facts for deep news stories about secrets or problems

Sentence 13 of 19

Non-compliance with the Act can attract fines up to ₹250 crore.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Non-compliance with the Act

Failing to follow the rules of this new law

Part 2

can attract

Can result in or lead to

Part 3

fines up to ₹250 crore

Money penalties as high as 2,500 million rupees

Sentence 14 of 19

Such a legal framework threatens reducing journalism to just publishing government releases.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Such a legal framework

A system of laws like the one being discussed

Part 2

threatens

Puts something at risk or is a danger to

Part 3

reducing journalism to just publishing government releases

Making news reporting so weak that it only prints whatever the government tells it to

Sentence 15 of 19

It is ironic that the DPDP Act provides exemptions to startups but omits similar protections for journalism.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A placeholder word used to start the sentence

Part 2

A linking verb connecting the subject to its description

Part 3

ironic

Strange or surprising because it is the opposite of what you expect

Part 4

that the DPDP Act provides exemptions to startups but omits similar protections for journalism

That the new law gives special relief to new small companies but leaves out similar safety for news reporting

Sentence 16 of 19

This is in sharp contrast with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which balances privacy and transparency to ensure accountability.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The situation in India where journalism is not protected

Part 2

A linking verb describing a state of being

Part 3

in sharp contrast with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Very different from the main privacy law in Europe

Part 4

which balances privacy and transparency to ensure accountability

Which gives importance to both private life and the right to know to make sure someone is responsible

Sentence 17 of 19

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Constitution Bench

The group of five or more Supreme Court judges hearing this case

Part 2

must refer

Should look at and mention as an example or rule

Part 3

to the judgment, Central Public Information Officer (2019)

A specific official legal decision made in 2019

Part 4

which held that personal information should remain private unless disclosure is necessary for the larger public interest

Which decided that private details should not be shared unless it is very important for everyone to know

Sentence 18 of 19

It is known that the RTI has significantly reduced state-citizen (this includes the poor) information asymmetry over two decades.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A placeholder word to start the sentence

Part 2

is known

Is a fact that many people already understand and accept

Part 3

that the RTI has significantly reduced state-citizen (this includes the poor) information asymmetry over two decades

That the RTI law has greatly decreased the gap between what the government knows and what ordinary people (including poor people) know over the last twenty years

Sentence 19 of 19

Ensuring its survival is essential for a responsive government.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Ensuring its survival

Making sure that the RTI law continues to exist and work properly

Part 2

A linking verb describing what the subject is

Part 3

essential for a responsive government

Absolutely necessary for a government that listens and reacts to its people

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - RTI Act Amendment

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the challenges to the RTI Act amendment and its impact on transparency.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

Explore by Category

Editorial Categories

Politics and Governance 7 Economy 7 International Relations 2 Science and Technology 3 Environment 3 Society 0 Security 1 Infrastructure and Energy 2 Media and Communication 1 Miscellaneous 7

Vocabulary Feeds

Challenging Vocabulary 161 Idioms and Phrases 113 Phrasal Verbs 54

About Scoreclever

Your Complete Learning Ecosystem

Scoreclever helps you master Current Affairs, English Language, and General Awareness for all Banking, SSC, Railway, and Defence exams. The Scoreclever app has innovative learning techniques that make memorization and revision effortless.

Explore Scoreclever

Anything wrong in this content?

Give feedback

Request a feature?

Contact support

Looking to contribute?

Contact our team

Privacy and transparency: On the RTI Act amendment, petitions

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension - RTI Act Amendment

Explore by Category

Share this editorial

About Scoreclever

Anything wrong in this content?

Request a feature?

Looking to contribute?